The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has commenced the review and validation of some of its guidelines to strengthen the nation’s biosafety system.
Dr. Rufus Ebegba, Director General/CEO, NBMA, said at the opening of the review and validation meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, August 8, 2018 that the guidelines were in the process of development over the past two years and had undergone intensive in-house assessment and critical review by stakeholders and needed final validation before being release to the general public.
Dr. Ebegba said that the guidelines for review and validation include the NBMA Risk Analysis Framework which details risk assessment – a precondition for the release of any Genetically Modified Organism (GMO).
“The guideline encompasses risk management plans and strategies to be employed if any potential risk arises from the practice of modern biotechnology. The guideline aims to strengthen the enforcement system for proper regulation,” he said.
Other guidelines reviewed at the workshop are NBMA Administrative Manual, NBMA Communication Strategy, National Biosafety Emergency Response, Biosafety Information Manual, Institutional Biosafety Committee Guidelines, Biosafety Laboratory Manual and NBMA Inspection Guidelines.
He added that the Biosafety Laboratory Manual ensures the accurate analysis of GMOs and the guaranteed safety of personnel working in the laboratory.
Dr. Ebegba thanked all the stakeholders present especially the media for accurate dissemination of information on issues of biosafety in the country. He noted that the media still have a lot to learn in terms of relating issues of biosafety to the general public.
The review and validation meeting was attended by stakeholders from different Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) who are involved in the National Biosafety Framework.
